Nanotechnology for Improved Productivity of Agricultural Products

In the chapter, the adverse effects of nanomaterials, nanotechnology in seed germination, plant growth, crop yield, and increased crop production are focused. The existing situation in the world is the rapid growth of population leads to the demand for agriculture-related products. Due to the overconsumption of natural resources, food products, and other essential items needs an interesting factor. Internal and external factors like water, salinity, drought, temperature, mineral and salt stress, nutrition availability of the soil source, nutrition inside the seeds, seed dormancy, and harmonic response to the external stimuli decide the germination and growth factor of any crop. Many reports revealed the application of organic and inorganic fertilizers and chemical fertilizers has improved crop production and as well as yield. Nowadays, innovation in science and technology urges the research community to implement it in the field of crops to achieve maximum yield. In this connection, nanoparticles including metal nanoparticles, metal oxides, nanocomposites, nanorods, nanofibers, quantum dots, and CNTS have been used as a nanofertilizer, and there is a tremendous increase in crop production. Also, nanotechnology can be used as a nano–biosensor, and nanopesticide in preventing disease, crop protection, and other related issues. This chapter mainly focuses on the technologies that are used for seed priming for efficient seed germination, methods of incorporating nanotechnology into the plant such as soil amendment, foliar application, and stem injection have been discussed. Also, the efficacy of various NPs and post-harvest methods is discussed in detail.